FARMINGTON – In response to increased needs, Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice is seeking individuals interested in becoming hospice volunteers for terminally ill patients and their families.

The agency will hold a 24-hour training course on Saturdays at Franklin Memorial Hospital. Classes will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 1 and 8 and Dec. 6. An additional class will be scheduled when the first class meets.

The hospice program provides support for terminally ill patients and their families in Franklin, Androscoggin, Oxford and northern Cumberland counties. The hospice team, which includes physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains and volunteers, works to enable patients to spend their last days with dignity and in control of their care. Hospice serves patients at home and in long-term care facilities.

“It’s very gratifying to know that you’re doing something for others at a critical time of their lives,” said Carolyn Balsam, agency hospice volunteer from Industry. Balsam has been a volunteer since 1992.

Volunteers are matched with patients in their community or nearby towns. A volunteer usually visits a patient regularly and may stay a few hours with a patient so that a caregiver can get some needed time off. Volunteers may also do errands, if requested, or meet other appropriate needs. They do not provide hands-on care.

Through training, volunteers learn about the needs of terminally ill patients and their families. The course covers the hospice philosophy, communications and listening skills, the impact of illness on the family, spiritual aspects of dying, grief and bereavement, funeral arrangements and related topics.

To be a hospice volunteer, a person needs to be nonjudgmental, dependable and a good listener. A volunteer must respect confidentiality and be able to provide his/her own transportation.

There is no charge for the course, but participants are asked to make a commitment of volunteering for the agency two to four hours a week for a year. Prospective volunteers complete an application before acceptance into the program.

Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice is a nonprofit, Medicare-certified agency that provides home care and hospice services. Founded in 1966, the hospice program was developed in 1985. In addition to meeting state home care, hospice and mental health standards, the agency is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

For a volunteer application or more information, contact Nancy Greene, volunteer coordinator, at 777-7740 or 1-800-482-7412.

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